APD: Man knocks over bicycle cop

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A man led police on a high-speed chase through two counties over the weekend after knocking over a bicycle cop, according to the police.

A bicycle cop said he tried to pull over Jerry Freels, 21, after he bumped his truck into the officer's bike late Friday night at Seventh and Red River streets in Downtown Austin.

The officer said he knocked on Freels' door and told him to pull over. The cop said Freels looked right at him, then sped off - causing him to fall off his bike.

Soon, several officers driving cars began chasing Freels, who drove south on I-35. Once in Buda, police said Freels exited the highway and lost control of his vehicle.

Freels then stopped and ran out of his truck and away from pursuing officers, according to police.

He hid for a few minutes, but was quickly found by officers, according to an arrest warrant made public Monday.

When asked why he ran, Freels told police he had been drinking and was "pretty drunk." He said he fired a gun in the air shortly before the bicycle officer tried to pull him over.

Freels said he knew he was going to go to jail for his drunkenness, coupled with his suspended license.